New residential ensemble characterises Winterthur’s urban space
With the "Rocket & Tigerli" ensemble, Cham Swiss Properties is building around 300 rental flats in Winterthur's Lokstadt. Instead of the originally planned hotel in the "Rocket", the real estate company is building 5000 square metres more living space as well as retail and restaurant space.
Cham Swiss Properties is planning an urban ensemble with the construction of the Rocket high-rise and the three Tigerli residential buildings in Winterthur’s Lokstadt. Rocket & Tigerli, as the property company is calling the construction project, will offer space for 300 rental flats in future, 30 per cent of which will be in the affordable segment, according to a press release. The ensemble with the 100-metre high-rise building will therefore not only shape the Winterthur skyline, but also alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
A building permit was already granted by the city of Winterthur in April 2025, albeit with several conditions. For example, the city demanded that the planned hotel use in the “Rocket” be abandoned in favour of the construction of rental flats. As a result of the revision, the construction company is now planning 5,000 square metres of extra living space and is dedicating the ground floor to publicly accessible retail and restaurant space instead of a hotel check-in. The top floor will also be converted with a viewing room and an area for events and catering.
despite the challenges posed by the conversion, the architect is confident:
“A public zone in a residential building brings challenges in terms of privacy and security. But we are confident that we will be able to implement a good solution so that the entire population can enjoy the view from a height of 100 metres,” Thomas Aebischer, CEO of Cham Swiss Properties, is quoted as saying in the press release.
The sustainability concept of the high-rise building has also been improved: instead of a timber hybrid construction, Rocket will now be realised with CO2-equivalent alternatives that offer advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, plannability and material availability. Certification according to the SNBS Gold standard remains planned.
The building permit is expected to become legally binding in 2026, with construction scheduled to begin in mid-2027. Completion is expected in 2030.